Lumb forced into immediate retirement

Doctors' orders see long-standing Sydney Sixers import Michael Lumb walk away from the game midway through English county season

Cricket Network
20 July 2017

The Sydney Sixers will be on the hunt for at least one new overseas signing this summer with Michael Lumb forced into immediate retirement after an ankle injury.

South Africa-born Lumb won the 2010 World T20 with England when Paul Collingwood's team beat Australia in the final in Barbados – still the only major global tournament England has won – and has featured in all six previous seasons of the KFC Big Bash League.

The exact nature of the injury remains unclear but Lumb was left with little option but to retire after medical advice.

He had been in the midst of another great season with Nottinghamshire where he played alongside Australia's James Pattinson, and helped side claim the domestic one-day trophy earlier this season.

Lumb in action for England during the 2010 World T20 // Getty

"I'm extremely disappointed I've had to retire from cricket, particularly in the middle of the season, but I have to respect medical opinion," Lumb said.

His career with the Sixers included the inaugural Big Bash championship, two other appearances in finals, and the 2012 Champions League trophy.

He was the Sixers' Player of the Tournament in BBL|05 and had scored 721 runs over 42 innings, including five half centuries, at an average of 17.59.

Sixers general manager Dom Redmond said he was "gutted" Lumb had been forced to call time on his career.

In First Class cricket, Lumb amassed more than 11,000 runs in 210 matches, with a career-best 221 not out coming for Nottinghamshire against Derbyshire at Trent Bridge in 2013.

His domestic limited overs career saw him score more than 11,500 runs, including more than 6,500 in List A games and almost 5,000 in T20s.

He played 27 T20s with England, forming a solid opening partnership with Craig Keiswetter during that 2010 World T20 run, and played three ODIs, and scored 106 on debut against the West Indies in 2014.

"I have had the best time at Trent Bridge, in my view the most productive years of my career, and Nottinghamshire is the club I have most enjoyed playing for," he said.

It's the second major injury blow for Notts after fast bowler Luke Fletcher was ruled out for the remainder of the season after being struck a sickening blow to the head in his follow through.

Fletcher was hit when the ball was driven straight back at him. Coincidentally, Lumb was the batsman when Australia Test bowler Joe Mennie was hit in a similar incident before last summer's BBL semi-final.

Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: "It's very sad news for Michael. He's a hugely talented batsman that has entertained cricket followers all over the world. He's a great role model to others and a superb professional."

"Michael is an immensely popular senior player in the dressing room and highly respected for what he has achieved during his career."

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cricket Australia.